Ex-Roma stalwart Daniele De Rossi officially joins Boca Juniors

Marco-Rossi

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League round of 16, 2nd leg, soccer match between FC Porto and AS Roma at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal. (Luis Vieira/AP)

Argentinean giants Boca Juniors officially announced the signing of former Roma and Italian international midfielder Daniele De Rossi on Friday.

De Rossi, 36, has signed for one year and will be immediately eligible to play for the club.

The Italian veteran had represented his hometown club, Roma, since making his professional debut in 2001. He appeared in more than 600 games for the Giallorossi and was a member of Italy’s World Cup-winning squad in 2006.

De Rossi announced that he would be leaving Roma in May after the midfielder and club owner James Pallotta had “some differences of opinion” over how the World Cup winner’s career ended in the Italian capital.

De Rossi arrived in Buenos Aires to plenty of fanfare early Thursday morning. He was immediately mobbed at the airport by fans and media, who were desperate to grab soundbites and photos.

His first appearance could be on Saturday when Boca opens its Superliga Argentina season against Huracan. The Xeneize also have the second leg of their round-of-16 Copa Libertadores clash vs. Athletico Paranaense on Wednesday at La Bombonera.

However, seeing as how De Rossi hasn’t trained with his new club yet, he might be eased into the team by coach Gustavo Alfaro.

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